Monday, 10 December 2018 18:38
A Spot of Tea and a World of Wonder — Chicago Children’s Theatre Does 'Beatrix Potter'
Written by CJ Burroughs
I’ve gotta admit — as my six-year-old daughter and I entered the Chicago Children’s Theatre’s main stage and took our seats, one of us wasn’t having any of it. One of us, of course, remembered the enchanting play we’d taken in there earlier this year, and could not stop talking…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 08 December 2018 18:27
Review: 'The Santaland Diaries' at Goodman Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
What kind of holiday season would it be without ‘The Santaland Diaries’? Old Chicagoans will remember the iconic poster art for the Theatre Building’s production that ran for years at Theatre Wit. This year the gang at Theatre Wit and their usual elf Crumpit played by Mitchell Fain opted not…
Published in
Theatre in Review
In the time I’ve been reviewing theater for this revered publication, I’ve often found myself quietly judging minutiae that’s occurred in productions that coincidentally share personal interests or obsessions of mine. While watching wonderful takes on the Buddy Holly Story or Roger Miller’s Broadway show, Big River, I’ve had to…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 08 December 2018 09:28
Keep It On The Shelf; pass on The Book of Merman
Written by Kendall Royzen
Has anyone ever knocked on your door trying to sell you something? Magazines? Cookies? What about religion? No? Me neither. A new Chicago musical-comedy utilizes a familiar character-driven plot line of two Mormon missionaries knocking on doors, only to discover a new friendship, and themselves along the way. It’s not…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 06 December 2018 20:38
'The Play that Goes Wrong' so wrong it's right
Written by Ken Payne
Sometimes when something goes bad, it goes really bad. And that can be a good thing. In fact, that is truly the case in ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ now playing at Oriental Theatre. Revolving around a disastrous opening night of Drama Society’s largest production to date, ‘The Murder at…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 03 December 2018 19:57
A Chicago Nutcracker Rings in the Holiday Season at the Auditorium Theatre
Written by CJ Burroughs
I arrived at the Auditorium Theatre — one of my favorite buildings in this city of ours that has so many historic buildings each with so many stories — prepared to enjoy an evening with that old Holiday chestnut, The Nutcracker. Little did I know that for the third year…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 03 December 2018 23:10
Review: 'Cendrillon' at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Written by John Accrocco
It’s December, which means Chicago’s theaters are in full-on holiday mode. Traditional theater takes a break at some of our major houses as festive productions of holiday classics trod the local boards. Those who do not celebrate Christmas aren’t to be left out. For family fun entertainment, Lyric Opera offers…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 30 November 2018 04:45
Review: 'The Revolutionists' at Strawdog Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
“It may be fiction but it’s not fake.” says French revolution-era playwright Olympa De Gouges to Charlotte Corday in a fictionalized meeting between the two in Lauren Gunderson’s play ‘The Revolutionists’. Rounding out the chance encounter are Haitian slave revolt activist Marianne Angell and Queen Marie Antoinette herself. If you…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 26 November 2018 18:02
Set in a Mythical 51st Ward, Rightlynd Is a Delightful Portrait of How Chicago Works
Written by Bill Esler
Set in Chicago’s mythical 51st Ward, Rightlynd is an absolute lark – but with serious underpinnings. It’s a cautionary rendition of that age-old political maxim: power corrupts. Rightlynd also doubles as a romantic comedy with a healthy dose of musical (ala Hamilton). Set in Chicago’s mythical 51st Ward, a section…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Wednesday, 28 November 2018 04:56
'Snowgirls' explores the darker side of the North Pole
Written by Ken Payne
When we think holidays in Chicago, we think ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Goodman, Joffrey’s ‘Nutcracker’, Christkindlmarket, Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo, Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier and the list goes on and on. We should count our lucky stars, Chicago has a lot to offer this time of year.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 27 November 2018 21:41
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 'Il Trovatore' by Giuseppe Verdi: A Perfect Storm of Vocalism
Written by William and Margaret Swain
As in a perfect storm, where a variety of different factors come together, augmenting the force above and beyond what is imaginable, Lyric Opera of Chicago brought together a group of singers who may, together and individually, define the interpretation of the music of Verdi for our time. The famous…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 27 November 2018 21:20
Goodman’s "A Christmas Carol" never ceases to inspire to do good
Written by Vika Lvova
Having seen (and adored) Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol 17 years ago, I was thrilled to experience this holiday classic once again this year. Though having undergone many changes over the years, Goodman’s gorgeous production of Charles Dickens’ timeless Christmas tale has kept the most important bit: the message of…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 23 November 2018 20:56
Christmas Magic is Here! "Miracle on 34th Street the Musical"
Written by Ken Payne
It’s the big day. The most celebrated parade in the country, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, is about to set sail down 34th Street, of course passing Macy’s flagship store along the way. When a man who just happens to be named Kris Kringle (Neil Friedman) notices that the hired Santa for…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
- Miracle on 34th Street the Musical
- Theater at the Center
- Santa Claus
- Christmas
- Neil Friedman
- Courtney Jones
- Stella Rose Hoyt
- Christopher Kale Jones
- Dan Klarer
- It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
- Kris Kringle
- Musical
- theatre
- Munster
- Ken Payne
- Buzz Center Stage
- George Seaton
- Valentine Davies
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